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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
its neutral.. didnt love or hate it
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed Etta Easton’s debut novel last year, The Kiss Countdown, and couldn’t wait to read her latest release, The Love Simulation. I listened to the audiobook version thanks to my local library (Libby). Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy The Love Simulation as much as I enjoyed The Kiss Countdown, and I’m disappointed about that.
I still enjoyed some aspects of the story. I admired the FMC, Brianna, for her determination to upgrade the school’s library and her commitment to completing the Mars Simulation alongside her fellow teachers. Throughout the Simulation, Brianna faced numerous obstacles, but she persevered and proved not only to herself but also to others that she could succeed. She truly was an inspiration, and I was rooting for her character the whole time while doing the Simulation.
My main issue with the book was believing the romantic relationship that developed between Brianna and Roman. Throughout the Simulation, Brianna struggled with trust issues regarding Roman, fearing that he might sabotage everything. I completely understood her concerns, as I also had my own trust issues with him. He was the Principal’s son, and the Principal was the very reason the library upgrade wasn’t happening. I think if Etta had included Roman’s point of view, I might have been convinced that he genuinely cared for Brianna. While I occasionally enjoy reading a single POV, I definitely prefer dual POV, especially in this case where I didn’t particularly like Roman.
I wanted to love this story, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite meet my expectations compared to the first book. Brianna was the main reason I kept reading; I wanted to see her prove the Principal wrong by securing the funding from the Mars Simulation to upgrade the library without his or the superintendent’s help. She was truly inspiring.
I give this book three stars, and I would still recommend it to readers who enjoy contemporary romance and stories about a heroine who is determined to step out of her comfort zone to achieve at completing the Mars Simulation.
What to Expect:
✔️Hate to Love/Enemies to Lovers
✔️Workplace Romance
✔️Forced Proximity
✔️Hate to Love/Enemies to Lovers
✔️Workplace Romance
✔️Forced Proximity
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐⭐⭐💫
TROPES
🍕 Forced Proximity
🍕 Workplace Romance
🍕 Slow Burn
What happens when a vice principal is determined to fund a library upgrade for her school, even after the principal goes around her back to redirect the original funds? She goes into a Mars simulation with other teachers, of course.
Brianna is a great character to follow through this experience. She’s unsure if she’s doing the right thing, especially once she’s in it, and she’s incredibly perceptive about what’s going on around her. While she worries she isn’t living up to the standard her siblings set with their careers as a doctor and an astronaut, I think going into a Mars simulation for six weeks to win money for a new library is awesome. I also particularly love what she does to Roman when he seemingly has been against her the entire time. It’s something I would do, and it was refreshing to see a main character act, even if it seems a touch irrational, than try to bury their emotions because of the circumstance.
This is a slow burn in the best way, but it does make the events of the epilogue feel a bit quick. Everything that happens within the simulation that results in Brianna and Roman being the only ones left, and hence facilitating the start of their relationship, is hilarious. It’s how I pictured a book like this going, and it was fun to read all about it.
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Just don’t care anymore plus I know it won’t be 4+ stars so why waste my time
Thanks to Berkley for the eARC; all opinions are my own.
Etta's first book, The Kiss Countdown, was one of my faves in 2024, so I was very excited to find out that her second book, The Love Simulation, was going to be in the same universe, with one of Vincent's sisters, Brianna, as the FMC, AND have a space-related theme! woohoo!
Brianna felt so relatable to me: am ambitious woman trying to find her path and purpose in life, trying different ways to get there, wanting to do right for her students and community, and also loves reading. YES PLEASE.
Roman provided a great MMC as well as a counterfoil to Brianna. He challenges her, supports her, but she still has her suspicions given his father is the principal of the school and doesn't really care for Brianna. There were a few things Roman did that made me go "umm... no. don't do that" but I liked that over the book, he acknowledged his wrongdoing, took accountability, apologized, and did better.
But honestly, I was NOT prepared for the scene when Brianna boots Roman. OH MY GOODNESS. That was a surprise to me. I understood where she was coming from and yeah, Roman kinda deserved it. At the same time, it showed that Brianna still had a lot of work to do to be vulnerable, ask for help, and realize she doesn't have to do everything on her own.
A great book and I am excited to read more by Etta!
Etta's first book, The Kiss Countdown, was one of my faves in 2024, so I was very excited to find out that her second book, The Love Simulation, was going to be in the same universe, with one of Vincent's sisters, Brianna, as the FMC, AND have a space-related theme! woohoo!
Brianna felt so relatable to me: am ambitious woman trying to find her path and purpose in life, trying different ways to get there, wanting to do right for her students and community, and also loves reading. YES PLEASE.
Roman provided a great MMC as well as a counterfoil to Brianna. He challenges her, supports her, but she still has her suspicions given his father is the principal of the school and doesn't really care for Brianna. There were a few things Roman did that made me go "umm... no. don't do that" but I liked that over the book, he acknowledged his wrongdoing, took accountability, apologized, and did better.
But honestly, I was NOT prepared for the scene when Brianna boots Roman. OH MY GOODNESS. That was a surprise to me. I understood where she was coming from and yeah, Roman kinda deserved it. At the same time, it showed that Brianna still had a lot of work to do to be vulnerable, ask for help, and realize she doesn't have to do everything on her own.
A great book and I am excited to read more by Etta!
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Gifted: Berkeley and PRH audio
Thank you partners for the gifted copies of this book! The premise of this book was super unique and I really liked that about the book. I love how both of Etta’s books have had to do with space because I don’t feel like we get enough space/astronaut type romances.
The Love Simulation follows Brianna Rogers (sister to from book 1), and she joins a space simulation to help upgrade the schools library where she works as a Vice Principal. The simulation should be a piece of cake, except Roman is there. Roman is the Principal's son who Brianna thinks hates her because he wanted her job. Their relationship has been hot and cold all year, and it isnt until theyre stuck in this simulation that she really gets to know him and who he is.
There were parts of this story I really liked, but what I liked most was Brianna staying true to herself and not changing herself or her plans for this guy. There was a moment in the end where I was like FK YA BRI! The simulation felt real, and again, was different to read about and try to imagine. I don’t know I would survive the way they did.